N7 Initiative

In the wake of the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020, the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, in partnership with the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, launched the N7 Initiative to help accelerate and strengthen normalization between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries, and to drive bipartisan support in the US for normalization.

Experts

Past events

Latest analysis

MENASource

Feb 7, 2025

Is Israel laying the groundwork to stay in Lebanon and defy a second withdrawal deadline?

By Nicholas Blanford

After missing one deadline to pull its forces out of south Lebanon following a ceasefire, there are signs that Israel is establishing a more permanent presence.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Trump is serious about shaking up the Middle East, even if his Gaza plan isn’t

By Jonathan Panikoff

It’s almost impossible to imagine Trump’s plan for Gaza coming to fruition. But it would be a mistake to think that he was anything but serious with the proposal he laid out Tuesday night.

Human Rights International Norms

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Experts react: Is the US really going to ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip?

By Atlantic Council experts

With his comments this week, the US president appears to be taking US policy toward Gaza in the direction of direct involvement—or is he?

Conflict Human Rights

MENASource

Feb 5, 2025

How the US can benefit from deepening Azerbaijani-Israeli ties

By Joseph Epstein

Washington should learn from Israel’s diplomatic and security collaboration with Azerbaijan to bolster its own ties with Baku.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

Waiting on a friend: Will Netanyahu get a sweet deal—or a raw deal—from Trump?

By Shalom Lipner

With Netanyahu visiting the White House on February 4, the world will be watching to see whether Trump offers him a deal that he can’t refuse.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2025

Israeli-Saudi normalization is within reach. Here’s what Trump and Netanyahu need to do next.

By Daniel B. Shapiro

A carefully sequenced series of steps, beginning but extending beyond the two leaders’ meeting this week, has the best likelihood of success.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

What the Gaza war reveals about the limitations of missile defense

By Jean-Loup Samaan

The Gaza War serves as a cautionary tale about what missile defense can achieve, what it should achieve, and where it falls short.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 21, 2025

How the Gaza war brought Morocco and Israel closer

By Sarah Zaaimi

Security cooperation between Israel and Morocco is flourishing and has never been stronger, driven by a common Iranian threat and a shared vision for regional integration.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 15, 2025

Experts react: Everything you need to know about the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage deal

By Atlantic Council experts

Does this deal really mark the end of the war? What’s next for Gaza’s reconstruction, for Israel’s security, and for wider regional efforts, such as Israeli-Saudi normalization? Atlantic Council experts share their answers to these and other pressing questions.

Conflict Israel

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2025

‘The ball is now in Hamas’s court’ for a ceasefire in Gaza, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

By Katherine Golden

The US secretary of state spoke at the Atlantic Council on January 14, just as reports from the Middle East indicated an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release could come soon.

Israel Middle East

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